Core i3-7020U vs Core i5-3230M

Core i3-7020U

2 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 2.3 GHz2018

Core i5-3230M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2013

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-7020U

2 / 4

2,567

+0.1%

2,565

0.0%

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i3-7020U is positioned at rank 70 and the Core i5-3230M is on rank 30, so the Core i5-3230M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-7020U

#15

Ryzen 5 220

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

97%

#18

Ryzen 5 8500G

MSRP: $179|Avg: $150

94%

#58

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

229%

#59

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

225%

#60

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

207%

#61

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

206%

#62

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

204%

#64

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

197%

#65

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

189%

#66

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

189%

#67

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

183%

#70

Core i3-7020U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#75

Core i3-4030U

MSRP: $281|Avg: N/A

97%

#79

Atom D2500

MSRP: $42|Avg: N/A

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-3230M

#18

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

172%

#19

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

169%

#20

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

155%

#21

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

155%

#22

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

153%

#24

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

148%

#25

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

142%

#26

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

142%

#27

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

138%

#30

Core i5-3230M

MSRP: $225|Avg: $13

100%

#31

Atom D525

MSRP: $63|Avg: N/A

100%

#32

Atom x7835RE

MSRP: $127|Avg: N/A

99%

#33

Core 2 Duo P8400

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

97%

#38

Core 2 Duo T8100

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

90%

#39

Atom 330

MSRP: $43|Avg: $30

89%

#43

Core 2 Duo SU7300

MSRP: $289|Avg: N/A

87%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i3-7020U (2018) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i3-7020U	Core i5-3230M
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($13)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i5-3230M (2013) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i3-7020U	Core i5-3230M
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($13)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i3-7020U Benchmark Check

Core i5-3230M Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-7020U and Core i5-3230M

Core i3-7020U

The Core i3-7020U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,567 points. Launch price was $281.

Core i5-3230M

The Core i5-3230M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,565 points. Launch price was $225.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i3-7020U and Core i5-3230M share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Core i3-7020U versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-3230M — a 32.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-3230M (base: 2.3 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i3-7020U uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-3230M uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7020U scores 2,567 against the Core i5-3230M's 2,565 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i3-7020U. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-7020U vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3230M.

Feature	Core i3-7020U	Core i5-3230M
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.3 GHz	3.2 GHz+39%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	2.6 GHz+13%
L3 Cache	3 MB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,567	2,565
Geekbench 6 Single	—	565
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,128

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-7020U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-3230M uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-7020U	Core i5-3230M
Socket	BGA1356	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-7020U) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-3230M). The Core i5-3230M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Core i3-7020U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3230M targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-3230M rivals Ryzen 5 3500U.